All the news from the newsletter

Health Indicators 2010, the 11th in a series of annual reports, presents the most recent health indicator data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) and Statistics Canada on a broad range of measures. As in the past, the report seeks to answer two important questions: “How healthy are Canadians?” and “How healthy is the Canadian health system?” Health regions and other stakeholders may use this information to identify areas where improvements are needed and to learn from jurisdictions with the best outcomes.... Read more

Urgent action is required to place Ontario’s health care system on more sustainable ground according to a new report by TD Economics. The report’s ten recommendations, which were submitted to Ontario’s Ministry of Health, represent significant change from the current system. Combined, they should help keep healthcare spending in line with the projected provincial growth rate of four percent.... Read more

On last May 21st, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley pointed out that the NHS must make sure that patient outcomes and clinical evidence are at the heart of any changes to health services. In future, all service changes must be led by clinicians and patients and not be driven from the top down. Mr. Lansley outlined new, strengthened criteria that he expects decisions on NHS service changes to meet. They must focus on improving patient outcomes; consider patient choice; have support from GP commissioners; and be based on sound clinical evidence.... Read more

The European Commission has recently adopted proposals to enhance the EU's role in global health. The objective is to make Europe's contribution more effective so as to better accompany developing countries towards achieving health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Commission presents four approaches to improving global health: establish a more democratic and coordinated global governance; push for a collective effort to promote universal coverage and access to health services to all; ensure better coherence between EU policies relating to health; improve coordination of EU research on global health and boost access in developing countries to new knowledge and treatments.... Read more

A pioneering grassroots campaign for the right to health care has made Vermont the first state mandated by law to establish a universal, equitable health care system based on human rights principles.... Read more

The report shows that although there have been some modest improvements in quality across Ontario’s health system, there is room for more improvement. There are examples of higher performance that could be applied more broadly. The top-line findings underscore areas of concern that are of critical importance: wait times; the accuracy and completeness of medical information; chronic disease management; access to primary care; and patient safety.... Read more

This strategy represents the first comprehensive national policy statement for primary health care in Australia. It provides a road map to guide current and future policy and practice in the Australian primary health care sector. The four priorities are: improving access and reducing inequity, better management of chronic conditions, increasing the focus on prevention, improving quality, safety, performance and accountability.... Read more

The Observatory Venice Summer School brings together high-level policy-makers in a stimulating environment. Organized by the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and one of its partners, the Veneto Region of Italy. it draws on their experiences of promoting evidence-based policy-making and of providing a unique platform for European health policy debate in action. The Summer School will take place in Venice on July 25-31, 2010.... Read more

The National Healthcare Reform Conference™ is the 1st National Conference in the US to address, in detail, the recently passed healthcare reform bill; the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The event will take place in Los Angeles, Ca, on September 20-22, 2010.... Read more

The purpose of Picking Up the Pace is to provide tangible examples of how to implement changes that strengthen healthcare in Canada. This year Picking Up the Pace will focus on primary healthcare. The event will take place in Montreal on November 1-2, 2010.... Read more